Radiator questions
 

I have a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4L 4x4




I am looking to replace my radiator and transmission cooler. Does anyone have any suggestions for the new ones?


Im wondering if I can buy a radiator that will make my engine run a little cooler?
my a/c will make my jeep overheat when sitting in traffic. Driving with the a/c on is no problem.

My recommendations are to put in a 2-row radiator, all metal if you can find one, and ditch the clutch fan and go electric. The clutch fan just doesn't pull enough air at low speeds. With the 2-row rad, there might not be enough room to run both an electric and a clutch fan. There are many kits out there for electric conversion, or you can build your own control system. The dual fans from a Ford Escort seem to be popular.

I just ordered an all aluminum two row radiator for my 95 ZJ for $165 plus tax and shipping. I ordered it through Radiator Express, but I'm not too happy with their customer service so far. I'll post a picture of it once it finally arrives. There is a seller on eBay that sells the same radiator for the same price with free shipping. As far as the fan goes, I'm running a two speed fan from a 94 Taurus with a 3.0 V6. I'm only using the high speed now, but it works great. I got a Hayden fan control from Amazon that is adjustable. I had to trim the Taurus fan shroud to get it to fit nicely on the radiator, totally happy with the results.

Don't buy a cheap Vista Pro radiator from Rockauto. Here is why. The thin plastic tank ballooned out until it exploded at the the core mating surface.

replacement radiator
 

I'm wondering if the 3 row all aluminum ones out of california are a good fit, and will they last. good price on them.

All I can do is tell you the rumors I've heard about 3-row radiators in ZJs. Unless you'll be towing ALL the time, you won't gain any more cooling with a 3-row over a 2-row, PLUS there is a fitment problem with it being too large.

There are several things that determine how well a radiator functions. 1) exposed core area. 2)coolant velocity thru the core. 3)air velocity thru it. 4)temperature of that air. 5)coolant temperature.

It takes time for the heat to transfer from the coolant to the air passing thru it. For instance, if you aren't running a thermostat, the coolant can actually move thru the radiator too fast for good heat transfer. Many racing engines run a restricter instead of a thermostat just to allow the heat to transfer because the airflow and coolant velocity are both too high. At low speeds, like rock crawling, the engine is making a lot of heat and airflow is not enough to remove it. An electric fan solves this problem.

My 00 WJ only has an electric fan. It runs on low speed after the engine reaches 195*F and kicks on high at 210*F. Once it turns on, it runs on low until you shut off the engine.

These same principles apply to heater cores as well. When the incoming air is -30*F and the blower is on high, there isn't enough time for the heat to transfer to the air. A lower fan speed works better to warm the cabin in that case. Recirculate works well, but you don't get the defroster at the same time. THIS is from personal experience.

Having said all that, I think you need an electric fan that runs constantly when the A/C is on or when the coolant temp is above 210*F. Remember that the air temp coming thru the radiator is already hot from the trans cooler AND the A/C condenser.

Which I will be correcting tomorrow on my ZJ! Im removing the A/C system, but leaving the Condenser on the Serpentine. Because i Have Future plans to make it On Board Air!

Pics to come of the AC removal but its pretty "Cut and Dry".


HAHA.... did you see what i did there?

You mean compressor, don't you? the condenser is in front of the radiator.

I just put one of these in my full size Chevy. I didn't want to go $50.00 cheap or $300 all aluminum. I called this guy and spoke to him. He can tell you anything you need to know about radiators. It's worth a look.

My recommendation is buy OEM. I went through two new "other" brands in 3 months before buying an OEM. Also the other replacements required me to alter the transmission line connection, OEM was a direct fit.

has anyone installed an electric fan in front of the radiator and left the stock fan in place? i did that with a van i had and it seemed to work well.

I doubt there's enough room for a pusher fan in front of the condenser. I removed the engine driven fan and swapped in a Ford Taurus electric fan with a thermostatic switch and controller. It has been working awesome.

do you happen to know what CFM that ford torrus fan pulls? i have a pancake fan i purchased from summet years ago and i think it does like 1700 CFM. think that would work?

I think it pulls something like 2600cfm. It's a two speed fan, but I have it wired for the high speed only.

3 row vs 2 row
 

I run a 98 xj 4.0 and I am in the process of rebuilding it slowly. Right now I am working on the engine cooling system. I will be installing a flowkooler water pump, new heater core and all other hoses and parts. I use my jeep as a daily driver and haul a tool trailer and plan to pull a off road camper for a cross country hot springs trip. My question is 3 row vs 2 row radiator any thoughts would be welcome thanks:icon_cool: